Quick disconnect

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed herein a quick disconnect device for faucets, and the like, which have an aerator attached at the discharge end thereof. The device enables an accessory spout member, which may be coupled for example to a hose, to be connected with the aerator secured to the spout of the faucet. The device includes a modified aerator shell which is secured to the spout, a body member coupled to the shell, and a movable band mounted about the body for enabling ready coupling and uncoupling of the accessory spout member.

United States Patent Bletcher et al. [45] Aug. 15, 1972 [54] QUICK DISCONNECT 2,784,987 3/1957 Corcoran ..285/3 15 X Inventors: James H. Bletcher, Pacific Palisades; 2,191,579 2/1940 Nelson ..285/32O Jack ]{I Rauh, Hacienda Heights Livers X both of Calm 504,739 9/1893 Murray ..285/3 20 Trust of Ralph E. Bletcher,

[73] Assignees:

' deceased; Frederick Robertson; Gary Robertson; Lenora Bucknell; Richard J. Bletcher; Marcia Liston, trustee for Daniel E. Liston; Carol Ann Liston; James H. Liston; Hazel Brondum; Marcia Liston; Ernest H. Bucknell, part interest to each [22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1970 [21] App]. No.: 84,972

[52] US. Cl ..239/428.5, 285/315 [51] Int. Cl ..E03c l/08 [58] Field of Search ..285/8, 86, 315, 320, 322; 239/4285 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,110,445 11/1963 Benjamin et a1 ..239/428.5

Primary 'Examiner H. Henson Wood, .lr. Assistant Examiner-John J. Love Att0rney Lyon & Lyon [5 7] ABSTRACT There is disclosed herein a quick disconnect device for faucets, and the like, which have an aerator attached at the discharge end thereof. The device enables an accessory spout member, whichmay be coupled for example to a hose, to be connected with the aerator secured to the spout of the faucet. The device includes a modified aerator shell which is secured to the spout, abody member coupled to the shell, and a movable band mounted about the body for enabling ready coupling and uncoupling of the accessory spout member.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED M19 1 5 I973 3,684,190

INVENTORS. JAMES H. 54670966 JA 0/: x: 2 0/1 QUICK DISCONNECT The present invention relates to quick disconnect devices, and more particularly relates to an improved device of this nature which enables an accessory spout or nipple member to be readily connected and disconnected with respect to an aerator secured to the discharge end of a spout.

Various types of coupling and disconnect devices have been devised from time to time. Examples of such devices are shown in US. Pat. Nos. 2,784,987, 2,730,384, 2,727,759, 2,675,829 and 951,889. How ever, such devices are characterized by relatively complex construction and employ numerous parts and, furthermore, are not readily adaptable for use in conjunction with an aerator on the spout of a faucet.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved quick disconnect device.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a quick disconnect device of relatively simple construction which is usable with an aerator.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a combination aerator and quick disconnect device of relatively simple construction for enabling an accessory nipple, or the like, to be readily connected and disconnected with respect to the aerator.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become better understood through a consideration of the following description taken in con- 'junction with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevational view of an aerator and quick disconnect device according to the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along a line 2-2 of Figure 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a cup nipple of the apparatus of Figure 1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a body member of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Turning now to the drawing, the discharge end of a spout of a conventional faucet, or the like, has threadably secured thereto an aerator shell 11. This shell is of slightly modified construction and includes an upper nut shaped flange 12 and an intermediate annular groove 13 for reasons described subsequently. Conventional aerator parts are included within the aerator shell, and comprise a seal ring 14 for sealing the shell 11 with the end 10 of the spout, a water deflector or splash plug 15 retained between the ring 14 and an internal flange 16 of the shell 10, a water flow guide sleeve 17 snapped within the shell 10, and a screen 18 retained within the sleeve 17. The plug 15 has openings 19 therethrough which water passes from the spout and aerator.

The quick disconnect device includes a body 20 preferably formed of a suitable plastic material, such as that sold under the trade name Delrin, and includes an internal flange 21 which is snapped into a groove 22 formed between the flange l2 and a lip 23 on the aerator shell 11. The body 20 includes a plurality of depending fingers 25 as best seen in FIG. 5 which are relatively rigid but yet sufficiently flexible to allow removal of a cup nipple 26. Each of these depending fingers 25 includes an outer protuberance 27 and an inner protuberance 28. The outer protuberances 27 and a lip 29 form an annular retaining area or groove 30 for receiving a movable annular band 31 mounted about the body 20. The band 31 preferably is formed of metal and includes an internal folded flange 32 which rides within the groove 30 thereby allowing the band 31 to be moved up and down axially as illustrated by an arrow 34 in FIG. 1 for enabling connection and disconnection of the nipple 26.

The cup nipple 26 may be of any suitable construction and preferably is formed of a plastic material, and includes an upper cup-shaped portion 36 having a peripheral lip 37, a bottom portion 38, and a nipple 39 having a water outlet 40 therethrough. A flexible hose 40, or other suitable member, may be coupled with the nipple 39 for supplying water from the faucet. An 0- ring 43 is positioned in the groove 13 in the periphery of the aerator shell 11 to provide a suitable seal between the shell and the cup portion 36 of the cup nipple 26. The peripheral lip 37 on the cup portion 36 cooperates wit-h the internal protuberances 28 of the body 20 to retain the cup nipple 26 in a secured position as shown in FIG. 1 when the movable band 30 is in its lower most position'as shown. Movement of the band 31 to its upper position allows the fingers 25 of the body 20 to spread or flex outwardly as shown in FIG. 3 to enable removal of the cup nipple 26 from the apparatus.

The present embodiment of this invention is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims therefore are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

l. A quick disconnect device for use with faucets and the like comprising aerator shell means containing an aerator assembly and adapted to be coupled to a faucet or the like, body means secured to said aerator shell means, said body means including a plurality of depending fingers having internal protuberances and having an external configuration forming a retaining groove, movable band means coupled about said body means to reciprocate along said retaining groove, nipple means coupleable between said aerator shell means and said body means, said nipple means ineluding a peripheral protuberance cooperating with the internal protuberances on said fingers to retain said nipple means in a coupled position between said aerator shell means and said body means, and

sealing means coupled between said aerator shell means and said nipple means. 2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said aerator shell means includes an upper groove and the body means includes an internal upper flange whereby said upper flange may be snapped into said upper groove to allow said body means to I be secured with said shell means.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein p said body means includes an internal upper flange, and said aerator shell means includes an upper groove for receiving said upper flange for securing together said body means and said shell means, housing an aerator assembly, said shell being and said shell means includes an annular groove adapted to be coupled to a faucet or the like, intermediate the ends thereof for receiving and body means secured to said shell, said body means retaining Said sea g meaflS- and said shell having cooperating upper portions 4- A device 88 in Claim 3 wherein 5 for securing together said body means and shell, said movable band means includes a band encircling Said d means i l i a plurality f d di a portion of said body means, and includes an internal flange cooperating with said retaining groove for retaining said band means on said body means and allowing said band means to be reciprocated axially along said body means to retain said fingers in engagement with said nipple means when said band is in a lower position and for enabling said fingers to move outwardly from said nipple means when said band is in an upper position.

5. A device as in claim 1 wherein said depending fingers of said body means are substantially rigid but yet flexible and secure said nipple means to said body means when said band means is in a first position in said retaining groove, and can be flexed upon withdrawal of said nipple means from said body means when said band means is in a second position with said retaining fingers having internal protruberances and having an external configuration forming an annular retaining groove,

movable band means coupled about said body means and having an internal flange engaging said retaining groove, said band means being movable substantially axially along said body means to affect the positioning of said fingers,

nipple means coupleable between said aerator shell and said body means, said nipple means including a peripheral protuberance cooperating with the internal protuberances on said fingers to retain said nipple means in a coupled position between said shell and said body means when said band means is in a lower position, said band means in an upper position enabling said fingers to move outwardly from said nipple means to allow disengagement of said nipple means, and

groove. l 6. A quick disconnect device for faucets and the like means coupled between 531d Shell and Sand comprising nipple means.

aerator means, said aerator means containing a shell Disclaimer 3,684,190.James H. Bletcher, Pacific Palisades, and J aclc K. Rauh, Hacienda Heights, Calif. QUICK DISCONNECT. Patent dated Aug. 15, 1972. Disclaimer filed Feb. 23, 1976, by the assignee, Pearl White Bletohe'r', part interest.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to her entire interest in all claims of said patent.

[Oyficial Gazette June I, 1.976.] 

1. A quick disconnect device for use with faucets and the like comprising aerator shell means containing an aerator assembly and adapted to be coupled to a faucet or the like, body means secured to said aerator shell means, said body means including a plurality of depending fingers having internal protuberances and having an external configuration forming a retaining groove, movable band means coupled about said body means to reciprocate along said retaining groove, nipple means coupleable between said aerator shell means and said body means, said nipple means including a peripheral protuberance cooperating with the internal protuberances on said fingers to retain said nipple means in a coupled position between said aerator shell means and said body means, and sealing means coupled between said aerator shell means and said nipple means.
 2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said aerator shell means includes an upper groove and the body means includes an internal upper flange whereby said upper flange may be snapped into said upper groove to allow said body means to be secured with said shell means.
 3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said body means includes an internal upper flange, and said aerator shell means includes an upper groove for receiving said upper flange for securing together said body means and said shell means, and said shell means includes an annular groove intermediate the ends thereof for receiving and retaining said seaLing means.
 4. A device as in claim 3 wherein said movable band means includes a band encircling a portion of said body means, and includes an internal flange cooperating with said retaining groove for retaining said band means on said body means and allowing said band means to be reciprocated axially along said body means to retain said fingers in engagement with said nipple means when said band is in a lower position and for enabling said fingers to move outwardly from said nipple means when said band is in an upper position.
 5. A device as in claim 1 wherein said depending fingers of said body means are substantially rigid but yet flexible and secure said nipple means to said body means when said band means is in a first position in said retaining groove, and can be flexed upon withdrawal of said nipple means from said body means when said band means is in a second position with said retaining groove.
 6. A quick disconnect device for faucets and the like comprising aerator means, said aerator means containing a shell housing an aerator assembly, said shell being adapted to be coupled to a faucet or the like, body means secured to said shell, said body means and said shell having cooperating upper portions for securing together said body means and shell, said body means including a plurality of depending fingers having internal protruberances and having an external configuration forming an annular retaining groove, movable band means coupled about said body means and having an internal flange engaging said retaining groove, said band means being movable substantially axially along said body means to affect the positioning of said fingers, nipple means coupleable between said aerator shell and said body means, said nipple means including a peripheral protuberance cooperating with the internal protuberances on said fingers to retain said nipple means in a coupled position between said shell and said body means when said band means is in a lower position, said band means in an upper position enabling said fingers to move outwardly from said nipple means to allow disengagement of said nipple means, and sealing means coupled between said shell and said nipple means. 